Trade Commissioner Malmström: EU Is Georgia's Biggest Export Market

Cecilia Malmström, European Union Trade Commissioner, says that EU is Georgia's biggest export market.

The Commissioner made the statement at the joint press conference with the Prime Minister of Georgia, Mamuka Bakhtadze, on Tuesday evening in Tbilisi.

Malmström noted that the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas (DCFTA) is a success but could work even better with joint efforts.

“This is why I am here to discuss … what we can do to ensure that Georgian companies know about the benefits of the Agreement and feel that they have the courage, strength, and knowledge to try and access the big EU market. With the Minister of Economy, we'll try to come up with a strategic view on this issue [to] open up the possibilities,” she said.

The Commissioner also praised the course of the Georgian government, adding impressive achievements have been made and the government should be congratulated for this.

“Ongoing reforms are important and we hope that democratic and institution building reforms continue and are on track,” the Commissioner noted, going on to explain that Georgia needs more investments from the EU.

“We see that some are already coming from European Union firms, but we want this figure to increase even further in the coming years. Of course, there is work that still needs to be done to further strengthen and consolidate the business and investment climate in order to boost the Georgian companies' productivity, help to diversify the economy here and then create jobs and growth,” she added.

By Thea Morrison